7. Robot-assisted therapy beneficial for long-term arm impairment after stroke

This randomized trial suggested that robot-assisted therapy can improve the rehabilitation of arm function after stroke compared with ordinary care, though no more than intensive therapist care.

·  Lo, et al – New England Journal of Medicine, May 16, 2010; http://www.nejm.org; N Engl J Med. 2010;362(19):1772-83; Funding: Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program and Rehabilitation Research and Development Service.

8. Genetic findings important in understanding, treating aneurysms

Two new studies looked at the genetics and treatment of aneurysms, balloon-like dilations of arterial walls that can be fatal if they rupture or tear. Saccular intracranial aneurysms are located in the intracranial arterial wall; their hemorrhage commonly results in severe neurologic impairment and death. This multicenter genome-wide association study in Europe and Japan identified three new and confirmed two previously-suspected chromosome sites as harboring genes predisposing to the formation of intracranial aneurysms. Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare, genetic, severe disease that causes arterial dissections and ruptures that can lead to early death. This randomized trial found that treatment with a beta-blocker medication to lower mechanical stress on arterial walls prevents dissection and hemorrrhages in Ehlers-Danlos patients.

·  Yasuno, et al – Nature Genetics, May 2010; http://www.nature.com; Nat Genet;2010;42(5):420-5; Funding: Yale Center for Human Genetics and Genomics,Yale Program on Neurogenetics, US National Institute of Health, Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

· Ong, et al – Lancet, Sept. 7, 2010; http://www.thelancet.com; Lancet. 2010;376;1476 – 1484. Funding: French Ministry of Health, Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique 2001.

9. Lowering blood pressure early reduces brain hemorrhage growth

One out of six strokes is due to bleeding into the brain, intracerebral hemorrhage, a major cause of death and disability. Two pilot trials found that aggressively lowering blood pressure, starting within six hours of stroke onset, is feasible and can reduce hemorrhage expansion. Larger trials have been launched to determine if this improves patient final outcome.

·  ATACH Investigators – Critical Care Medicine, Feb. 2010; http://www.ccmjournal.org; Crit Care Med. 2010;38(2):637-48; Funding: ?

·  INTERACT – Stroke, Dec. 31, 2009; Stroke. 2010;41(2):307-12; Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia.

·  INTERACT – Hypertension, Sept. 7, 2010; Hypertension; 2010;56:852-858; Funding: National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.

10. Physical activity, even moderate in degree, reduces stroke risk

A large study found leisure-time physical activity, even in modest degree, is associated with lower stroke risk in women. In particular, walking was generally associated with lower risks of total, ischemic, and Hemorrhagic stroke.

·  Sattelmair, et al – Stroke, April 6, 2010; http://stroke.ahajournals.org; Stroke 2010;41(6):1243-50; Funding: National Institutes of Health.

The American Heart Association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at http://www.heart.org/corporatefunding.
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NR10-1195 (TopTenResearch2010)

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American Heart Association/American Stroke Association 2010 Top Ten Research Reports